Gipsy rock king, Lionel Lodge, is back in the Beehive, after many years of touring the world and living in Vienna.

The singer/songwriter is in the UK to promote his new album, and is bringing two of his current band, accordion player Peter Beinhofer and bass player Joe Schirl, to the Swindon pub on Thursday, August 27.

Lionel is the son of Tom Lodge, an icon with the famous pirate Radio Caroline. Lionel was born in Scotland but moved to Canada with his family. With such a famous father, music was bound to be a big part of his formative years, and singing along to Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones first introduced the young Lionel to what was to become a way of life.

In the 1980s both Lionel and his brother, Brodie, were members of the Canadian roots band the Corndogs which won a following both in Canada and over here in the UK.

Lionel said: "I left the Corndogs and moved to Europe to pursue a different adventure.''

Part of that adventure was running an all night punk club in London called Lionel's where he met guitarist Jeffy B and they ended up collaborating on his album called The Agitator.

Last year the two guitarists were again in action together playing at Ribfest London 2014.

When Lionel first came to Swindon he was a troubadour of Americana, a hired musical gun in various outfits and front man of his own rock band.

Since then he has notched up 12 albums, moved to Vienna and set up The Schragged Band.

The band and the album called Definitely Schragged came out of a jam session held weekly by Lionel and his chum who ran Cafe Schrag in Vienna.

"Reinhard was definitely schragged but an extremely loveable rogue,'' said Lionel. "The cafe had a piano, one that was pulled from a garbage pile, but over the weeks the group slowly gathered, kinda like dust under the bed.''

Lionel has never been a big fan of the inner workings of the music industry, often shunning big label offers so he could retain creative control of his music.

Touring, recording and composing has been the singer/songwriter's life, his easy going charm winning him friends all over the world.

He says he is hoping to see some old friends when he returns to Swindon.

"I hope you all come down and get a taste of our musical flavour and how it has evolved over the years,'' he said.

The Beehive gig on Prospect Hill in Old Town begins at 8.30pm and is free entry. For more details call 01793 523187. - Flicky Harrison